Rivermen establish new team award in co-owner Saurs' namesake

PEORIA -- The Peoria Rivermen officially launched a new team award on Wednesday, to honor longtime owner Bruce Saurs. The award, named the Bruce Saurs Leadership Award, will go annually to a Rivermen player for his commitment to the game and leadership on and off the ice, and contributing to efforts to grow hockey in central Illinois. Pekin native and Rivermen captain Cole Ruwe was named the inaugural winner, after a vote by Rivermen front office members and coaching staff. Saurs, 87, owned the Rivermen for nearly 20 years in the old IHL, ECHL and AHL eras before stepping aside to allow the St. Louis Blues to take over the franchise. When the Blues sold the team and moved out of Peoria last spring, Saurs returned as part of a five-member ownership group to keep the pro franchise alive. "We’re excited to announce this new Award and year end honor after a man who always showed great leadership in the community and always had the strongest commitment to hockey in Peoria and all of Central Illinois," Rivermen co-owner Bart Rogers said. "Like Mr. Saurs, Cole Ruwe exemplifies those same attributes and desire to continue building Rivermen hockey in central Illinois back to where it once was again.

"Those two guys are very similar. Cole’s commitment and leadership on and off the ice can’t be understated and it makes sense that a local guy who once dreamed of wearing a Rivermen Jersey and grew up in Pekin, IL should win this first year award."

Dave Eminian covers the Rivermen and Chiefs for the Journal Star. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.